Houston (CBS Houston) – Just hours after learning Matt Schaub will start against the St. Louis Rams, the Texans defense challenged him in what one player called the most intense practice of the year.

Rookie safety D.J. Swearinger told SportsRadio 610 that head coach Gary Kubiak called a team meeting this morning to tell everyone Schaub would remain as the team’s starter.

“A lot of guys wanted to know, and he told us who the quarterback was going to be.” Swearinger said.

After the meeting the team hit the practice field, where a normal Wednesday would consist of a lighter practice, but not this week.

“We had a very intense practice today” Swearinger said. “Wednesday is usually sort of a learning day. You run but it’s sort of a learning day and Thursday is sort of the work day but today was more like a Thursday. A lot of running around and a lot of competing out there today.”

Tight end Ryan Griffin described the intensity level as “the highest since I’ve been here.” and added “We had a couple of extra periods at the end and we had some fun with it.”

The practice was not only intense but the scout team specifically tried to challenge Schaub.

“We stepped it up a lot on defense too, to give him hard and tough looks.” D.J. Swearinger said. “We were very intense and (Schaub) responded too. So that’s the good thing.”

Even veterans like Duane Brown realized there was a different vibe on Wednesday.

“It was very intense” Brown said. “Our defensive scout team gave us a great look. They were moving around very fast.”